Quick Facts
Biography
Renato Ruggiero (9 April 1930 – 4 August 2013) was an Italian politician. He was Director-General of the World Trade Organisation from 1995 to 1999 and briefly served as Italy's Foreign Minister in 2001.
Biography
Born in Naples on 9 April 1930, Ruggiero graduated from Naples University in 1953 with a law degree. He has held posts as Commerce secretary and in many private firms such as Fiat and the energy firm ENI. Ruggiero entered the foreign service following a degree in law from the University of Naples. After a brilliant career he became a top ranking diplomat managing tough situations in the 1980s such as the Sigonella crisis. He is famous for his ability as a tough negotiator and has thus earned the nickname of "Rocky" Ruggiero. At the time of his death in 2013, Ruggiero was an Ambassador and was working for Citigroup. He was a member of the Steering Committee of the Bilderberg Group.
Honors
Ruggiero was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the government of Japan.